Herrera, Tourists make 7-run Thirsty Thursday comeback

Asheville second baseman Juan Ciriaco tags out a Rome player at second during a game at McCormick Field Thursday evening.

PATRICK SULLIVAN/TIMES-NEWS

By Brittany JacksonTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 10:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 10:41 p.m.

ASHEVILLE — Returning home after a rough week on the road, the Asheville Tourists turned around what looked to be the Tourists' seventh loss in eight games Thursday night at McCormick Field.

Down 6-2 to Rome through the first five innings, Asheville went on to score seven unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh for the 9-6 win.

A crowd of 3,425 welcomed the Tourists home on one of the coolest nights in a while for the third-to-last Thirsty Thursday of the season.

Coming off the disabled list Thursday night just minutes before taking the mound, Raul Fernandez (2-1) nabbed the win in a one-inning performance. In the top of the seventh he struck out two and gave up no runs on one hit and no walks.

The Tourists were led by none other than Asheville leading hitter Rosell Herrera, who upped his batting average to .365 on Thursday thanks to a 3-for-4 outing. Dillon Thomas was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs.

With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, designated hitter Matt Argyropoulos scored Francisco Sosa (2-for-5) from third. Thomas got home from third on a passed ball during the next at-bat to put the Tourists back in the game with a 6-4 Rome lead.

Fernandez held the Braves in the top of the seventh to make way for the Tourists' five-run seventh inning.

Second baseman Juan Ciriaco's double and then third-base steal made way for Herrera's line drive RBI to left to put the score at 6-5. Sosa put the fans on their feet when he loaded the bases with a well-executed bunt single.

The fans stayed on their feet in hopes that next-up Thomas would deliver, and he did.

The right fielder's single line drive to left scored Herrera to tie the game. A Rome error on the same play sent Thomas to second base and catcher Tom Murphy sprinted home to give the Tourists the 7-6 lead and a standing ovation.

Asheville's Andrew Brown kept the Braves at bay in the eighth as he got one strikeout before closer Rayan Gonzalez got his 10th save of the season with two strikeouts in the ninth.

The Tourists (52-47) are back home tonight at 7:05 p.m. against Rome. Fans will enjoy a fireworks show following Friday's game. Asheville and Rome (49-52) will play a doubleheader on Saturday, which is deemed “Russell Wilson Replica Jersey Night,” starting at 5:35 p.m.

<p><b>ASHEVILLE</b> — Returning home after a rough week on the road, the Asheville Tourists turned around what looked to be the Tourists' seventh loss in eight games Thursday night at McCormick Field. </p><p>Down 6-2 to Rome through the first five innings, Asheville went on to score seven unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh for the 9-6 win. </p><p>A crowd of 3,425 welcomed the Tourists home on one of the coolest nights in a while for the third-to-last Thirsty Thursday of the season. </p><p>Coming off the disabled list Thursday night just minutes before taking the mound, Raul Fernandez (2-1) nabbed the win in a one-inning performance. In the top of the seventh he struck out two and gave up no runs on one hit and no walks. </p><p>The Tourists were led by none other than Asheville leading hitter Rosell Herrera, who upped his batting average to .365 on Thursday thanks to a 3-for-4 outing. Dillon Thomas was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs. </p><p>With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, designated hitter Matt Argyropoulos scored Francisco Sosa (2-for-5) from third. Thomas got home from third on a passed ball during the next at-bat to put the Tourists back in the game with a 6-4 Rome lead. </p><p>Fernandez held the Braves in the top of the seventh to make way for the Tourists' five-run seventh inning. </p><p>Second baseman Juan Ciriaco's double and then third-base steal made way for Herrera's line drive RBI to left to put the score at 6-5. Sosa put the fans on their feet when he loaded the bases with a well-executed bunt single. </p><p>The fans stayed on their feet in hopes that next-up Thomas would deliver, and he did. </p><p>The right fielder's single line drive to left scored Herrera to tie the game. A Rome error on the same play sent Thomas to second base and catcher Tom Murphy sprinted home to give the Tourists the 7-6 lead and a standing ovation. </p><p>Asheville's Andrew Brown kept the Braves at bay in the eighth as he got one strikeout before closer Rayan Gonzalez got his 10th save of the season with two strikeouts in the ninth. </p><p>The Tourists (52-47) are back home tonight at 7:05 p.m. against Rome. Fans will enjoy a fireworks show following Friday's game. Asheville and Rome (49-52) will play a doubleheader on Saturday, which is deemed “Russell Wilson Replica Jersey Night,” starting at 5:35 p.m.</p>